A/N: OMG IM SO SORRY! It took me forever to get this chapter right, and include this!
This is a thank you chapter, (as well as a real one), for all of my reviewers!
BIG THANKS TO:
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YOU ALL ROCK MY SOCKS! THANKS FOR YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! I LOVE YOU ALL!
Now, On with the chapter!
Edited by i-luv-the-cat-sohma52
Disclaimer: Yeah I really own Avatar! I write fanfiction because I DON'T want complete control over what happens! (I say, my voice riddled with sarcasm)
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(With Aang and What's Left of the Gang, Afternoon after Katara left)
When the sun was high in the sky, Sokka was picking up camp, obviously planning to go after his little sister. He didn't miss the flippant remark about Aurora being like her own daughter. The images that ran through his head kept him shuddering for hours. What if she fell in love with that bastard Fire Prince? What if she betrayed them? His mind silenced his thoughts of betrayal with the simple image of her being tied to the pole with the pirates and Prince Zuko. She'd never betray them, yet that other possibility was way too possible. She always did have a thing for bad boys. Take that idiot Jet for example. Well, she did freeze him to a tree in the end, so that kind of made it better.
Aang had been out looking for food, and was staring in amazement at Sokka, who usually was lounging around whenever he got the chance. He glanced over the disassembled campsite before turning to Sokka and saying, "Why are you packing up? Aren't we going wait for Katara?"
"We're not going to wait for her, we're going to go to her." Sokka replied rolling his sleeping bag up.
"Why?"
"Because I'm worried about her Aang. What if Zuko doesn't keep his promise?"
"He will Sokka. He practically swore on his honor! Firebenders, especially Zuko, value honor over almost everything!" Aang said, flailing his arms wildly in the air.
"I'm still worried about her." Sokka stated flatly, tossing his sleeping bag onto Appa, who groaned at the sudden impact.
Aang really wanted to trust Zuko, but Sokka would probably do something stupid if he were forced to go alone.
"Fine! I think they went to the port Shan-Kiri, it's the closest."
"Thanks, Aang."
"Whatever. Here, have a leechi nut." He tossed it over to Sokka, but before he could catch it, Momo snatched it out of the air.
"MOMO!" Sokka shrieked, chasing the lemur around the camp.
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(With Zuko, night after Katara arrived (AKA Music Night)
After dinner, Katara went to check up on Aurora, only to find that Zuko was already there, and he was doing very well. She wondered for a little why he wasn't up on deck, then she remembered his oh so kind words about Music Night. So, she decided to make her way to the deck to meet up with Iroh.
When she got there, she was surprised at this rate the crew got started. There was already a pile of empty sake bottles near the bench. She spotted Iroh sitting near the rail, drinking a small glass of sake, so she went over to join him.
"Hello, Iroh!" she said, taking a seat next to him.
"Ah, there you are!" he replied turning towards her, his cheeks red from the alcohol.
"Where were you? We are just about to start!" He said, taking a swig from his glass.
"I was going to check up on Aurora, but Zuko was already there." She looked around the deck, watching the men as they sang, danced, and drunk their way to insensibility.
"I thought as much. Would you sing us a song while we are all still aware enough to enjoy it?"
"Ok." She stood and made her way over to the musicians, whispering them the melody. "Ok, everyone! I'm going to sing a song my mother made for my father when they were courting. It's her favorite, so tonight I dedicate it to her." She signaled the musicians, and they struck up the beat.
(I do not own Avril Lavigne or "Who Knows")
Yeah, yeah
Yeah-eah, yeah
Yeah-eah, yeah
Why do you look so familiar?
I could swear that I have seen your face before.
I think I like that you seem sincere.
I think I like to get to know you a little bit more.
I think there's something more, life's worth living for.
Who knows what could happen?
Do what you do, just keep on laughing!
One thing's true, there's always a brand new day.
I'm gonna live today like it's my last day.
Yeah, yeah,
Yeah-eah, yeah,
Yeah-eah, yeah
How do you always have an opinion?
And how do you always find the best way to compromise?
We don't need to have a reason.
We don't need anything;
We're just wasting time.
I think there's something more, life's worth living for.
Who knows what could happen?
Do what you do, just keep on laughing!
One thing's true, there's always a brand new day.
Who knows what could happen?
Do what you do, just keep on laughing!
One thing's true, there's always a brand new day.
I'm gonna live today like it's my last day.
Find yourself, cause I can't find you.
Be yourself, who are you?
Find yourself, cause I can't find you.
Be yourself, who are you?
Who knows what could happen?
Do what you do, just keep on laughing!
One thing's true, there's always a brand new day.
So you go and make it happen!
Do your best just keep on laughing!
I'm telling you; there's always a brand new day.
Who knows what could happen?
Do what you do, just keep on laughing!
One thing's true, there's always a brand new day.
I'm gonna live today like it's my last day.
As the last chords of the song faded, the crew burst into shouts, whistles and applause. Katara felt the heat rise in her cheeks when she saw Zuko and the top of the staircase, clapping as he leaned against the doorframe, a smile gracing his features.
"Oh my god…He was listening? Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod…he has a nice smile…WHAT? Okay WAY too much sake…wait I haven't had any sake! GAH! I'm so confused!" she thought. Zuko watched with puzzlement and amusement as her face went from blushing, to contentedness, to objection, to defense and finally settling into a face of confusion.
"Women…" he thought, rolling his eyes as he made his way to the other end of the ship, away from the light of the fire. I guess it would be redundant if I said he didn't like Music Night. He leaned on the railing and looked up at the moon, which cast an ethereal glow on his pale features. He took a velvety smooth band with a blue pendent out of his pocket, marveling at how the light played across it and made it appear to sparkle.
"I never did give it back to her…" he thought, remembering her gentleness while caring for Aurora.
"I'll give it to her tonight." He said under his breath.
"Give who what?" Katara said, walking gracefully towards him, her blue eyes standing out in the pale light.
"Oh, hello Katara." He replied, hiding the necklace up his sleeve as he turned around.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, don't you agree?" she said, looking up at the night sky.
"Yeah… listen, I really appreciate what you've done for Aurora, so I wanted to return this to you." He walked behind her and slipped the necklace over her head, clasping it in the back.
"My…my mother's necklace! I thought I'd never get it back! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She spun around, threw her arms around Zuko, and hugged him super tight.
"Um…Katara…I need air!" He coughed out, gasping for said air.
"Oh! Sorry!" she said letting go and hurriedly backing away, a blush tinting her cheeks.
A crash and mad laughter prevented him from investigating the blush further.
"We should really get back to our rooms. The crew usually gets pretty rowdy. Be sure to lock the door though! Last time, I woke up with a guy lying across my legs!" He shuddered at the memory.
"Okay!" she replied, even though she couldn't hear him properly over the noise.
After stepping over a few comatose bodies, they made their way down the steps and back to their rooms.
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A/N: Little do they know that the night is about to get a whole lot more interesting…Next chapter coming soon! SO BE READY!